Scripts
Mud poster

2011

Mud script

Teenagers Ellis and Neckbone discover Mud, a fugitive wanted for murder, hiding on an island and agree to help him escape and reunite with his girlfriend, Juniper. Despite warnings from Mud's former guardian, Tom, the boys help Mud repair his boat and deliver messages to Juniper, but Ellis's discovery of Juniper with another man causes him to doubt Mud's sincerity. After Ellis confronts Mud and is bitten by a snake, Mud takes him to a clinic where bounty hunters, led by the victim's father, identify and pursue Mud, attacking Ellis's houseboat. Tom Blankenship helps Mud escape the bounty hunters, and though Ellis and Neckbone believe Mud is dead, he is later revealed to be alive and recovering with Tom as they travel toward the Gulf of Mexico.

Writer
Jeff Nichols
IMDb ID (imdb_id)
tt1935179
Script date
September 16, 2011
169Scenes
11Characters
94Pages
8Dialogue samples

Save the Cat beat sheet

Mud Save the Cat analysis

Young Ellis, caught between his parents’ turmoil, finds adventure and purpose when he and friend Neckbone discover Mud living in an abandoned boat.

Open full beat sheet
75

Key characters

Ellis

Ellis is listed as Protagonist. 14-year-old wiry young man, blonde hairs on upper lip. In the parsed data, Ellis is connected to 134 scenes, 286 dialogue lines, 326 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.

134 scenes / 286 dialogue lines

Neckbone

Neckbone is listed as Protagonist's friend. 14-year-old scrawny kid, slicked back blonde hair, wears a Fugazi T-shirt. In the parsed data, Neckbone is connected to 75 scenes, 168 dialogue lines, 175 text mentions, first appearing around scene 5.

75 scenes / 168 dialogue lines

Mud

Mud is listed as Mysterious drifter. 38-year-old man, wild hair, missing canine tooth, snake tattoo on hand. In the parsed data, Mud is connected to 47 scenes, 171 dialogue lines, 211 text mentions, first appearing around scene 17.

47 scenes / 171 dialogue lines

Senior

Senior is listed as Ellis' father. 52-year-old man, reserved, thinning hair. In the parsed data, Senior is connected to 17 scenes, 44 dialogue lines, 46 text mentions, first appearing around scene 19.

17 scenes / 44 dialogue lines

Tom Blankenship

Tom Blankenship is listed as Recluse. 67-year-old man, white hair, former sharpshooter. In the parsed data, Tom Blankenship is connected to 17 scenes, 33 dialogue lines, 36 text mentions, first appearing around scene 54.

17 scenes / 33 dialogue lines

Juniper

Juniper is listed as Mud's girlfriend. 35-year-old beautiful woman, nightingale tattoos on hands. In the parsed data, Juniper is connected to 12 scenes, 25 dialogue lines, 42 text mentions, first appearing around scene 62.

12 scenes / 25 dialogue lines

Mary Lee

Mary Lee is listed as Ellis' mother. 41-year-old woman, works a secretarial job. In the parsed data, Mary Lee is connected to 11 scenes, 34 dialogue lines, 34 text mentions, first appearing around scene 3.

11 scenes / 34 dialogue lines

Carver

Carver is listed as Antagonist. 47-year-old tall, slender man in a dark Western cut suit. In the parsed data, Carver is connected to 11 scenes, 16 dialogue lines, 19 text mentions, first appearing around scene 62.

11 scenes / 16 dialogue lines

Galen

Galen is listed as Neckbone's uncle. 36-year-old lumbering man, mermaid tattoo on chest. In the parsed data, Galen is connected to 10 scenes, 26 dialogue lines, 38 text mentions, first appearing around scene 23.

10 scenes / 26 dialogue lines

May Pearl

May Pearl is listed as Ellis' love interest. 16-year-old girl, pretty, physically mature. In the parsed data, May Pearl is connected to 6 scenes, 24 dialogue lines, 27 text mentions, first appearing around scene 36.

6 scenes / 24 dialogue lines

King

King is listed as Antagonist. 76-year-old man, Carver's father. In the parsed data, King is connected to 4 scenes, 11 dialogue lines, 13 text mentions, first appearing around scene 84.

4 scenes / 11 dialogue lines

Scene outline

  1. 1. INT. Ellis' Room - PREDAWN

    Ellis wakes up early and sneaks out of his room via the window.

    Ellis

  2. 2. EXT. Houseboat - PREDAWN

    Ellis sneaks along the exterior of his houseboat to spy on his parents.

    Ellis

  3. 3. INT. Ellis' Kitchen - CONTINUOUS

    Mary Lee and Senior have a tense, silent confrontation.

    Senior, Mary Lee

  4. 4. EXT. Ellis' Houseboat - CONTINUOUS

    Ellis hides from his parents and heads to the shore.

    Ellis

  5. 5. EXT. Ellis' Riverbank - CONTINUOUS

    Ellis meets Neckbone at the riverbank.

    Ellis, Neckbone

  6. 6. EXT. Riverbank - PREDAWN

    The boys ride the dirt bike along the riverbank.

    Ellis, Neckbone

  7. 7. EXT. Riverbank - DAWN

    The boys prepare to take their boat out on the water.

    Ellis, Neckbone

  8. 8. EXT. River - MORNING

    The boys navigate the Mississippi River.

    Ellis, Neckbone

  9. 9. EXT. Mississippi River - MORNING

    The boys spot the island.

    Ellis, Neckbone

  10. 10. EXT. Island Shore - DAY

    The boys land on the island.

    Ellis, Neckbone

  11. 11. EXT. Island Woods - CONTINUOUS

    The boys navigate the island woods.

    Ellis, Neckbone

  12. 12. EXT. Island Woods - DAY

    The boys find the boat in the tree.

    Ellis, Neckbone

  13. 13. EXT. Boat in Tree - MOMENTS LATER

    The boys climb into the boat.

    Ellis, Neckbone

  14. 14. INT. Boat Cabin - CONTINUOUS

    The boys explore the cabin and realize someone is living there.

    Ellis, Neckbone

  15. 15. EXT. Base of Boat Tree - MOMENTS LATER

    The boys flee the tree.

    Ellis, Neckbone

  16. 16. EXT. Island Woods/Creek - MOMENTS LATER

    The boys rush across the creek.

    Ellis, Neckbone

  17. 17. EXT. Island Shore - MOMENTS LATER

    The boys encounter Mud.

    Ellis, Neckbone, Mud

  18. 18. EXT. Mississippi River - MOMENTS LATER

    The boys leave the island.

    Ellis, Neckbone

  19. 19. EXT. Ellis' Houseboat - DAY

    Ellis helps his father load coolers.

    Ellis, Senior

  20. 20. EXT. DeWitt/Montage - DAY

    Montage of Ellis and Senior working.

    Ellis, Senior

  21. 21. EXT. Sonic Drive-In - DAY

    Ellis watches May Pearl at the Sonic.

    Ellis, Senior, May Pearl

  22. 22. I/E. Senior's Truck/Two-Lane Road - DAY

    Ellis and Senior talk in the truck.

    Ellis, Senior

  23. 23. EXT. Neckbone's Trailer - DAY

    Ellis visits Neckbone.

    Ellis, Neckbone, Galen

  24. 24. INT. Neckbone's Trailer - CONTINUOUS

    Neckbone finds the book for Ellis.

    Ellis, Neckbone

  25. 25. EXT. Neckbone's Trailer - CONTINUOUS

    Ellis leaves the trailer park.

    Ellis, Neckbone, Galen

  26. 26. EXT. Ellis' Houseboat - NIGHT

    Ellis returns home.

    Ellis

  27. 27. INT. Ellis' Houseboat - Den - NIGHT

    Ellis finds his parents arguing and steals food.

    Ellis, Senior, Mary Lee

  28. 28. EXT. Tom Blankenship's Houseboat - DAY

    Tom Blankenship shoots at a snake.

    Tom Blankenship

  29. 29. EXT. Ellis' Houseboat - CONTINUOUS

    Ellis watches Tom Blankenship across the water while talking to his father, Senior. Mary Lee leaves for work, and Ellis runs off after hearing a squawk on his walkie-talkie.

    Ellis, Senior, Mary Lee, Tom Blankenship

  30. 30. EXT. Island Shore - DAY

    Ellis and Neckbone arrive at the island to find Mud.

    Ellis, Neckbone

  31. 31. EXT. Base of Boat Tree - DAY

    Ellis and Neckbone meet Mud at his camp. Mud eats the food Ellis brought and reveals he has a pistol.

    Ellis, Neckbone, Mud

  32. 32. EXT. Island Woods - DAY

    Mud tells the boys he is waiting for his girlfriend, Juniper.

    Ellis, Neckbone, Mud

  33. 33. EXT. Downstream Coast of Island - DAY

    Mud explains the danger of snake bites and his tattoo history.

    Ellis, Neckbone, Mud

  34. 34. INT. Gary's Electric Shop - DAY

    Galen tests portable flood lamps with an electrician.

    Galen

  35. 35. EXT. Gary's Electric/Piggly Wiggly Parking Lot - CONTINUOUS

    Ellis and Neckbone wait for Galen while watching teenagers at the Piggly Wiggly.

    Ellis, Neckbone

  36. 36. EXT. Piggly Wiggly Parking Lot - CONTINUOUS

    Ellis confronts the teenager harassing May Pearl. Juniper appears.

    Ellis, Neckbone, May Pearl, Juniper

  37. 37. INT. Piggly Wiggly - DAY

    Ellis spots Juniper inside the store.

    Ellis, Juniper

  38. 38. EXT. Galen's Truck/Piggly Wiggly Parking Lot - CONTINUOUS

    Ellis confirms to Neckbone that he saw Juniper.

    Ellis, Neckbone

  39. 39. EXT. Ellis' Houseboat - NIGHT

    Senior tells Ellis that his mother wants a divorce and they might lose the boat.

    Ellis, Senior

  40. 40. INT. Ellis' Houseboat - Den - CONTINUOUS

    Mary Lee waits for Ellis for dinner.

    Ellis, Mary Lee

  41. 41. INT. Ellis' Room - CONTINUOUS

    Ellis is distraught and decides to leave through the window.

    Ellis

  42. 42. EXT. Mississippi River - NIGHT

    Ellis navigates his boat in the dark.

    Ellis

  43. 43. EXT. Island Shore - NIGHT

    Ellis arrives at the island looking for Mud.

    Ellis

  44. 44. EXT. Island Woods - NIGHT

    Ellis navigates the woods to find the camp.

    Ellis

  45. 45. EXT. Base of Boat Tree - NIGHT

    Ellis finds Mud and tells him about seeing Juniper.

    Ellis, Mud

  46. 46. INT. Ellis' Room - MORNING

    Mary Lee wakes Ellis for a trip to Wal-Mart.

    Ellis, Mary Lee

  47. 47. I/E. Mary Lee's Car/Interstate - DAY

    Mary Lee and Ellis are stopped by police searching for Mud.

    Ellis, Mary Lee, Mud

  48. 48. INT. Ellis' Room - DAY

    Ellis leaves the house.

    Ellis

  49. 49. EXT. Houseboat - CONTINUOUS

    Ellis runs to find Neckbone.

    Ellis

  50. 50. EXT. Riverbank - DAY

    Ellis and Neckbone meet at the riverbank.

    Ellis, Neckbone

  51. 51. EXT. BASE OF BOAT TREE - DAY

    Ellis and Neckbone arrive at Mud's campsite and call out to him.

    Ellis, Neckbone, Mud

  52. 52. EXT. BOAT IN TREE - CONTINUOUS

    Mud explains his situation and asks for help to get the boat in the water.

    Ellis, Neckbone, Mud

  53. 53. EXT. SHELLY'S OXBOW - DAY

    Ellis and Neckbone arrive at the Oxbow to find Tom Blankenship.

    Ellis, Neckbone

  54. 54. EXT. TOM'S WOODS - DAY

    Ellis confronts Tom Blankenship and delivers Mud's message.

    Ellis, Tom Blankenship

  55. 55. EXT. RIVER - DAY

    Tom travels with the boys to meet Mud.

    Ellis, Neckbone, Tom Blankenship

  56. 56. EXT. ISLAND SHORE - DAY

    Tom and Mud meet; Tom refuses to help Mud.

    Ellis, Neckbone, Mud, Tom Blankenship

  57. 57. EXT. RIVER/SHELLY'S OXBOW - DAY

    Tom leaves the boys and warns them to stay away from Mud.

    Ellis, Neckbone, Tom Blankenship

  58. 58. EXT. RIVER - DAY

    Ellis and Neckbone discuss the letter.

    Ellis, Neckbone

  59. 59. EXT. DEWITT STREET - LATE AFTERNOON

    Ellis and Neckbone travel to the motel.

    Ellis, Neckbone

  60. 60. EXT. EXECUTIVE INN/PARKING LOT - LATE AFTERNOON

    The boys arrive at the motel to sell fish.

    Ellis, Neckbone

  61. 61. ON THE SECOND FLOOR. EXECUTIVE INN - LATE AFTERNOON

    The boys knock on doors and hear a woman screaming.

    Ellis, Neckbone

  62. 62. INT. EXECUTIVE INN/JUNIPER'S ROOM - CONTINUOUS

    Ellis and Neckbone intervene in a fight between Carver and Juniper.

    Ellis, Neckbone, Juniper, Carver

  63. 63. EXT. EXECUTIVE INN/JUNIPER'S ROOM - DUSK

    The boys leave the motel.

    Ellis, Neckbone, Juniper

  64. 64. I/E. CARVER'S LINCOLN/PIGGLY WIGGLY PARKING LOT - CONTINUOUS

    Carver watches the boys leave.

    Ellis, Neckbone, Carver

  65. 65. INT. ELLIS' HOUSEBOAT - NIGHT

    Ellis returns home and calls May Pearl.

    Ellis, May Pearl

  66. 66. SERIES OF IMAGES. VARIOUS - VARIOUS

    The boys gather supplies for Mud.

    Ellis, Neckbone, Tom Blankenship

  67. 67. EXT. ISLAND SHORE - DAY

    The boys bring supplies to Mud and tell him about Carver.

    Ellis, Neckbone, Mud

  68. 68. EXT. MISSISSIPPI RIVER/ISLAND - CONTINUOUS

    Galen spots Mud, Ellis, and Neckbone on the island while he is out on his boat.

    Galen, Ellis, Neckbone, Mud

  69. 69. EXT. BOAT IN TREE - DAY

    Mud and the boys work on rigging the boat in the trees.

    Mud, Ellis, Neckbone

  70. 70. EXT. BASE OF BOAT TREE - DAY

    Mud cuts the branch holding the boat, successfully lowering it.

    Mud, Neckbone, Ellis

  71. 71. I/E. MARY LEE'S CAR/PIGGLY WIGGLY PARKING LOT - LATE AFTERNOON

    Ellis and his mother discuss their family situation.

    Ellis, Mary Lee

  72. 72. EXT. EXECUTIVE INN - LATE AFTERNOON

    Ellis spots Juniper at the motel.

    Ellis, Juniper

  73. 73. EXT. PIGGLY WIGGLY PARKING LOT - LATE AFTERNOON

    Ellis observes Carver and his men.

    Ellis, Carver, May Pearl

  74. 74. EXT. FIELD/BONFIRE - NIGHT

    Ellis and May Pearl spend time together at a bonfire.

    Ellis, May Pearl

  75. 75. EXT. ELLIS' AND TOM'S HOUSEBOATS - MORNING

    Tom signals Ellis to come over to his houseboat.

    Ellis, Tom Blankenship

  76. 76. EXT. TOM BLANKENSHIP'S HOUSEBOAT - MOMENTS LATER

    Ellis boards Tom's boat.

    Ellis, Tom Blankenship

  77. 77. INT. TOM BLANKENSHIP'S HOUSEBOAT - CONTINUOUS

    Tom talks to Ellis about Mud and Juniper.

    Ellis, Tom Blankenship

  78. 78. EXT. ISLAND/BASE OF BOAT TREE - DAY

    Ellis returns to the island and talks to Mud.

    Ellis, Mud

  79. 79. EXT. ISLAND SHORE - MOMENTS LATER

    Mud tells Ellis about Tom's past.

    Ellis, Mud

  80. 80. EXT. UNDERWATER - RIVER - DAY

    Galen dives for mussel shells.

    Galen

Dialogue examples

Right. The real reason Mud's in the trouble he's got is because of her. He's been in love with that girl since he was your age. They used to run all around here and it was the same back then. He'd follow that girl wherever she led him. Problem is she don't care about nobody but herself. I've told him as much. She'd bed down with the meanest snake she could find, then when things went bad she'd go runnin' to Mud. Mud would take her back, then go find whatever unlucky sonofabitch last put a hand on her and beat `em `til they knew to never touch her again. And this time I guess he thought a beating wasn't good enough. Had to shoot that fella. I don't know for sure, but I'd put money on Juniper knowin' he'd do it. And I have a suspicion she might of even told him to. Either way, those two are set for failure. Only chance Mud has is to cut her loose. Cause I'll tell you what, Mud's no bad ass. He's runnin' scared.

Tom Blankenship / Scene 77

I was around, but me and Juniper were on the outs. She met this Hutchins, he sold her on some lies. Got her pregnant. That's when he started showin' who he really was. He dropped June down a flight of stairs after whoopin' her half to death. She lost the baby. He made it so the doctors think she can't have children anymore. There're things you can get away with in this world and things you can't. I tracked him down at a motel just outside of San Antonio. He was there with another woman. That's where it happened.

Mud / Scene 52

Well, that's your mother. Would rather tongue lash a problem than step up and handle it. You'll see one day. Women are tough. They'll set you up for things. You can't trust love, Ellis. If you're not careful, it'll run out on you. You just gotta pick a woman and roll the dice. Hope you don't wake up in fifteen years hatin' each other.

Senior / Scene 83

They work in shifts. Two outside her motel, the others either out searching or sleepin' here. I met with the county sheriff but he wasn't much help. Said they'd handle their own business, but I got two of their people on payroll and a person on the inside at the state police.

Carver / Scene 84

I found it in the river. Works great. Best ceiling fan I've ever owned. This river brings a lotta trash down it. Some a that trash is worth a lotta money, some of it's not. You gotta know what's worth keepin' and what's worth lettin' go. You know the difference?

Galen / Scene 85

Men. I wanna thank you for the work you're doin'. It's important work, and I want you to know what it means to me personally. I'm grateful for it. No man should have to bury his son. It's not natural, and it's a pain I hope none of you ever have to endure.

King / Scene 85

Please don't tell your father this, but I've been looking at a couple of places. I know it would be a big adjustment for you, but it might end up being something you like. You know living on the river isn't exactly everyone's idea of the good life. Ellis?

Mary Lee / Scene 47

Ya'll have been real good to me. You're the only friends I got out here. If the state troopers have 165 blocked, they'll have others blocked too. I won't get anywhere in a car. I want to try takin' this boat down, see if we can get it in the water.

Mud / Scene 52

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